Floating World Gallery

07/24/2024

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO START OR BUILD YOUR TANAKA RYOHEI COLLECTION

Tanaka Ryohei (1933-2019) is well known for his intricate monochromatic etchings of rural Japan. He also produced a number of designs with a touch of color, which are particularly prized. With a concentration on images of thatched roof farmhouses that were disappearing from the Japanese countryside, he also made images of objects found in rural Japan. He primarily worked with copperplate etchings or a combination of etchings and aquatints.

Tanka’s works are widely collected and can be found in the permanent collections of many important US museums. During his lifetime, he was also a regular exhibitor at the annual College Women of Japan’s (CWAJ) annual show in Tokyo.

You, too, can start or add to your Tanaka collection, as we are offering 6 of his works, including 4 early works from the 1970s (one of which has that rare touch of color), in our Christmas in August No Reserve Auction of Japanese Prints. The sale is on the Invaluable Auctions platform on August 2. You can leave bids now, or bid live during the auction, beginning at 9 am Chicago time.

Click on an image for additional information and a link to the auction lot.

Click on this link to view the entire auction:
https://tinyurl.com/fwg0824auction

07/22/2024

The Watanabe Color Print Co produced over 85 small format prints, frequently referred to as postcard size, which were first marketed in its 1931 sales catalog. According to the Hotei Hausi reference book, some of the designs were derived from earlier full-sized works, and others we created specially as small format works. The postcard sized prints are not signed, although they are sealed, typically are not dated, and do not have a publisher’s seal. We have 4 postcard size prints by Hasui in our upcoming Christmas in August No Reserve Auction, exclusively on the Invaluable Auction Platform.

Click on an image for additional information and a link to the auction lot.
Click on this link to view the entire auction: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0824auction

07/21/2024

This year our annual Christmas in July No Reserve Auction is actually a Christmas in August auction! It takes place on Friday, August 2, beginning at 9:00 am Chicago time, exclusively on the Invaluable Auction Platform. There are 212 lots by over 75 different artists from all genres. The lots are reserved at their modest starting bids/low estimates. This means every lot receiving a bid will sell!

Use this link to view the auction:
https://tinyurl.com/fwg0824auction

06/07/2024

It’s Auction Day!

Live bidding starts at 9:00 am Chicago time.

View the auction: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0624auction

05/31/2024

The works of Chiura Obata (1885 - 1975) are sought after both by collectors of Japanese woodblock prints and California art. Obata was born in Japan, and moved to the United States in 1903, at age 17. In 1930, returned to Japan to work with the publisher Takamizawa to transform some of his watercolors and sketches he made of Yosemite National Park and the Siera Nevada into a 35 print portfolio titled World Landscape Series.

We are fortunate to offer three Obata works in our upcoming auction on June 7, two woodblock prints and a painting on silk mounted as a scroll.

Explore all 159 works in the auction at this link: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0624auction

Click on an image for additional information and a link to the auction lot.

05/25/2024

Explore 159 genuine Japanese prints from the 18th through 20th centuries, exclusively on the LiveAuctioneers platform. You can leave absentee bids now or bid live at the auction on Friday, June 7. This print is Lot 25, a popular image by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) titled Yoroi Ferry, Koami-cho, 1857, from his seminal series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. It is one of 10 designs by Hiroshige included in this auction.

View Lot 25 at this link: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0624lot25
View the entire auction at this link: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0624auction

Specializing in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, the 18th century to present

04/08/2024

We are closed today. Have fun and be safe.

Specializing in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, the 18th century to present

04/04/2024

WHAT'S NEW ON THE FLOATING WORLD GALLERY WEBSITE?

44 new prints just added, including ukiyo-e, Meiji, shin hanga and contemporary designs. These are some of our favorites:

Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Soga no Goro, a Surimono from the 1830s by Gototei Kunisada (1776-1865).
View print: https://tinyurl.com/fwg24gototei

Modan Viewpoint, Pyongyang, Korea, from the series Korean Views Supplement, dated 1940 by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957).
View print: https://tinyurl.com/fwg24Modan

Early Spring, 1974 by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979)
View print: https://tinyurl.com/fwg24hoshi

View all recent additions: https://tinyurl.com/fwg24spring

03/27/2024

Explore our selection of Yosh*toshi Mori (1898-1993) stencil prints in our newest exhibition – The Other Yosh*toshi. This print shows Benkei Battling Ushiwakamaru on Gojo Bridge, from the series The Tale of the Taira Clan, it is pencil signed, dated 1973, and numbered 8/50. The full sheet size measures 35 ½ by 27 inches.

For a limited time, the prints in our Mori exhibition are buy one – get one of equal or lesser value for half off by using the code MORIBOGO at checkout.

View print: https://tinyurl.com/fwg24013

View exhibition: https://tinyurl.com/fwgmori24

Learn more about Japanese stencil prints: https://tinyurl.com/kappazuri

Specializing in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, the 18th century to present

03/20/2024

Toshi Yoshida’s Irozaki - The Haystacks Effect

Much has been written about the influence that Claude Monet’s Haystacks suite had upon Hiroshi Yoshida and his 1921 set of Sailing Boats, showing the same design at different times of day. He went on to repeat this motif with another set of Sailing Boats in 1926, day and night views of Matterhorn, Acropolis and Sphinx, all in 1925, as well as several others.

Toshi Yoshida followed in his father’s footsteps, also producing several designs at different times of day, as well as different seasons. One of our favorites is the 1961 set of Irozaki - Morning, Day and Afternoon.

The coast around Cape Irozaki is rugged and relatively unspoiled to this day, and can be viewed from sightseeing cruises.

Each design shows waves crashing upon the rocks of Cape Irozaki (located along the southern coastline of the Izu Peninsula at its southernmost tip) under a soft, but varying, pastel sky and a palette appropriate to that particular time of day. All three versions can be found on our website in our newest exhibition, Toshi Yoshida’s Scenic Japan, featuring 46 pencil signed, lifetime printings. Most of the prints in the exhibition were acquired directly from the Yoshida family, including the three Irozaki designs.

View the exhibition at https://tinyurl.com/FWGToshiJapan

03/18/2024

Live condition report from Bill at the Christie’s preview. It sells tomorrow.

03/18/2024

Toshi Yoshida and the Spirit of Shinjuku

In his 1938 design Shinjuku, Toshi Yoshida has captured the essence and character of the Tokyo district. Even today, Shinjuku is associated with vibrant nightlife, bustling streets, diverse entertainment options, and the blend of modernity and tradition.

The design is part of an informal set of three chuban prints commonly referred to as the Tokyo at Night Series. All three can be found on our website in our newest exhibition, Toshi Yoshida’s Scenic Japan, featuring 46 pencil signed, lifetime printings. Most of the prints in the exhibition were acquired directly from the Yoshida family.

View the exhibition at https://tinyurl.com/FWGToshiJapan

03/01/2024

It's Auction Day. Live bidding starts at 9 am Chicago time.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/319694_grand-auction-of-japanese-prints

02/29/2024

IT'S UME SEASON IN JAPAN AND THE PLUM TREES ARE BLOSSOMING

In honor of Plum Blossom season, we are offering a $50 discount on one of our favorite plum blossom scenes, White Plum in the Farmyard, by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995).
Use the code PLUM at checkout.

https://floatingworld.com/product/white-plum-in-the-farmyard-2/

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02/29/2024

In honor of Plum Blossom season, we are offering a $50 discount on one of our favorite plum blossom scenes, White Plum in the Farmyard, by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995). Use the code PLUM at checkout.

https://floatingworld.com/product/white-plum-in-the-farmyard-2/

02/27/2024

We have several prints by Tsukioka Yosh*toshi (1839-1892) in our grand Auction on Friday, March 1, exclusively on the LiveAuctioneers platform. Here is one of our favorites.

Title: Nikki Danjo Naonori
Series: One Hundred Ghost Stories from China and Japan
Date: 1865

View Lot 61: http://tinyurl.com/fwg0324lot61
View Auction: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0324auction

02/22/2024

02/22/2024

An American in Kyoto - Clifton Karhu

Clifton Karhu (1927- 2007) was one of the most popular woodblock print artists in the latter half of the 20th century. His ability to capture everyday scenes, typically in Kyoto, with such detail and atmosphere is truly remarkable. We are offering four of his works in our March Grand Auction of Japanese Prints.

Explore all 174 prints in the auction at this link: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0324auction

Click on an image for additional information and a link to the auction lot.

02/21/2024

GO DEEPER WITH YOUR PRINT COLLECTION

One of the most interesting aspects of collecting Japanese prints is the ability to find preparatory works, including carved printing blocks, preliminary drawings, hansh*ta (key block outlines) and process sets. When combined with the finished print, the set gives a better insight into the entire process of creating a particular design.

We have three such sets in our upcoming Grand Auction on March 1, exclusively on the LiveAuctioneers platform. In addition to providing links to the respective auction lots, we are providing links to high resolution images of the front and reverse of each print.

Lot 114 is a print of Chion-in Temple Gate, 1935, by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950), from the Eight Scenes of Cherry Blossoms series. It has both a brush and pencil signature, as well as a jizuri seal, indicating that it is a lifetime printing. In addition, this lot includes a hansh*ta of the design. We acquired the hansh*ta a little over a year ago, and we waited for a copy of the finished print to come in so we could offer a set.

Link to Lot 114: http://tinyurl.com/fwg324lot114
Link to high resolution images: http://tinyurl.com/fwg0324lot114


Lot 140 is a print of Camellia Japonica, 1933, by Tomoo Inagaki (1902-1980), illustrated at page 69 of the Inagaki catalog, accompanied by a hansh*ta. These were acquired from the Estate of Inagaki’s widow. Although Inagaki is best known for his whimsical cat designs, his early work focused on floral.

Link to Lot 140: http://tinyurl.com/fwg324lot140
Link to high resolution images: http://tinyurl.com/fwg0324lot140

Lot 154 is a print of Courtesan Procession, 1946, by Jun’ichiro Sekino (1914-1988), accompanied by a hand colored hansh*ta. The design is included in the multi-artist collaboration Native Customs of Japan. This set was acquired from the Sekino family.

Link to Lot 154: http://tinyurl.com/fwg324lot154
Link to high resolution images: http://tinyurl.com/fwg0324lot154

02/18/2024

Explore 174 genuine Japanese prints from the 18th through 21st centuries, exclusively on the LiveAuctioneers platform. You can leave absentee bids now or bid live at the auction on Friday, March 1. This print is Lot 98, a rare and sought after image by Uehara Konen (1878-1940) titled Dotonbori, 1928. It illustrates a quiet moment on the banks of the Dotonbori canal, usually a bustling tourist site in Osaka.

View Lot 98: http://tinyurl.com/fwg0324lot98
View Auction: https://tinyurl.com/fwg0324auction

Specializing in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, the 18th century to present

02/11/2024

02/07/2024

NEW HASUI PRINT ON THE FWG WEBSITE

The prices for works by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) have continued to soar exponentially. Just check the results from the Sotheby’s sale on December 19. A more budget friendly option is Atozuri printings - recent printings from the original blocks. And one of the best producers of Atozuri works in The Watanabe Color Print Co.; perhaps because the current owner, Shoichiro Watanabe, is the grandson of the founder, Shozaburo Watanabe.

Watanabe's Atozuri works can be identified by the presence of a seal in the side margin. Initially the seal was red during the Heisei era, marked by the reign of Emperor Akihito. In May 2019, when Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne, Watanabe continued to use the same seal, but now it is printed in grey/black.

Bill recently came back from Japan with another new design, Moonlight at Sanzenin Shrine. Kyoto, 1949, with the grey/black Reiwa era in the lower right margin. We only have a limited number of copies of this design, so act quickly to secure yours.

Click on image to enlarge. View all the Hasui designs on our site, including an early printing of one of his most famous designs, Zojo Temple, Shiba, 1925, here: https://tinyurl.com/FWG-Hasui

01/29/2024

We sadly report the passing of David Caplan, founder of Mita Arts Gallery, Tokyo. David was both a friend and mentor since we first met in the late 1980s. May his memory always be a blessing.

01/13/2024

IT’S A WINTER WONDERLAND OUT THERE!

Grab a hot cocoa and explore over three dozen Japanese prints featuring snow and other winter scenery, including this striking print by Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997), Otaru – Hokaido, 18/50, 1948.

View this print: http://tinyurl.com/fwgotaru
View the exhibition: http://tinyurl.com/fwgwinter2024

01/09/2024

IT’S A WINTER WONDERLAND OUT THERE!

Grab a hot cocoa and explore over three dozen Japanese prints featuring snow and other winter scenery, including this print by Ito Takashi from 1950 – Children Making a Snowman in the Northeast District.

View this print: http://tinyurl.com/fwgsnowman
View the exhibition: http://tinyurl.com/fwgwinter2024

Specializing in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, the 18th century to present

11/30/2023

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

We’ve been saving these small kabuki prints from the Shin Nagao Magazine for our Little Something for the Holidays Exhibition since Bill brought them back from his trip to last January. Shin Nagao (New Prints) was a magazine published in 5 volumes in 1915. It was a collaboration among many artists, and served primarily to advertise the Kabuki Theater.

Below are a selection of the Shin Nagao Prints in the Exhibtion. Click on the images below for more information. The entire A Little Something for the Holidays Exhibition can be viewed at https://floatingworld.com/a-little-something-for-the-holidays-for-2023/

11/29/2023

MAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS SPARKLE

A great way to add a little sparkle to your holidays is to buy a sparkly woodblock print by Hajime Namiki (b. 1947). We have 9 Namiki works in our December 8 No Reserve Holiday Auction, including those shown below.

Click on the images below for more information, including a direct link to the print in our auction. The entire auction can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/2023HolidayAuction

11/29/2023

Our 'A Little Something for the Holidays' online exhibition is live on our website. It is a fun selection of small Japanese prints – perfect for a gift or to treat yourself.

Pictured:
1. Umetaro Azechi (1902-1999) Red Volcano
2. Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) Summer – Four Seasons of the Oak Tree
3. Unsigned, Pond in Mountains

Exhibition here: tinyurl.com/LittleSomething2023